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Short answer: ask the people you already see: your class, your teacher, your práctica. Then say clearly what you want to practice, agree a schedule you can both keep, and try one session before committing.
What kind of practice do you mean?
Practice is not a social dance. Decide what yours is for: technique, musicality, preparing for a workshop weekend, or running through what you learned in class. A partner who wants to drill walking and a partner who wants to improvise will both be disappointed if nobody says so.
Where to meet potential partners
Your own class
Someone who already attends the same class knows the material. Ask after class, politely and without pressure.
Prácticas
Many communities run open practice sessions. The format varies a lot, so ask the host how it works and who it is for.
Online communities and El Compas
Local groups and apps help when you don’t know many people yet. Name your area, the days you are free and what you want to practice.
Say what you want to practice
A good first message is short and specific:
(Fictional example) Hi, I’m a follower, intermediate, and I’d like a regular practice partner in Paris on Tuesday or Thursday evenings. I want to work on musicality and the basic walk after class. Would you be interested in trying one hour together?
Agree a schedule and venue
- Availability. Which days and times work for both of you, and how often.
- Reliability. What happens if someone cancels late.
- Room and cost. Who books it and how you split any fee.
- Music. Who brings it, and how you choose.
Try one session first
Keep it simple: a short warm-up, 20 minutes on one person’s goal, 20 on the other’s, and a few minutes to talk about how it went. Afterwards decide together whether to meet again.
Discuss feedback and compatibility
Agree how you give feedback: only when asked, after each exercise, or at the end. Role, height and embrace preferences are practical matters, not verdicts. Years of experience tell you little about whether two people work well together.
If it doesn’t work
Say so kindly and soon. “I think we’re working on different things. Thank you for trying it with me” is enough.
Post a practice partner request
Create a profile with your role, level and styles, then post a request naming the area and days you can practice. What others see depends on your privacy settings.